Spring suspension for vehicles.



. W. E. EASTMAN.

SPRING SUSPENSION FOR VEHICLES. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 5, 191a:v

Patented Dec. 15, 1914 Z SHEETSSHEET l.

W. E. EASTMAN.

SPRING SUSPENSION FOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED 5, 1913.

1,121,079. Patented D'ec.15,1914.

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WILLIAM E. EASTMAN, OF 'WINCHESCdER, MASSACHUSETTS SPRENG SUSPENSION FOR VEHICLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 15, 15914.

Application filed December 5, 1913. Serial No. 804,929.

n To aZZ whom it may concern:

. paratus whereby an axle supporting eliicle body upon springs, in its move ments toward and away from the body, he

' in a plane at right angles to the plane oi inc Dec-em the body; such means for example, being described and shown in United States Letnt No. 1,048,510, for improvements on for vehicles, granted to 31, nus. The respective objects of these Various features of my present invention are First. To reduce to a minimum the resist ance to the free action of the vehicle spring, oilered by the friction resulting from the confined reciprocating movements of the free end of the brace red, as in the pivoted bearing box, shown in my said Letters Pat-' cut. This object 1 attain by means of the first feature of my invention, n :a rocker arm mounted on the vehicle frame and pivotally connected .to the freer end portion of the brace rod: the moment. resulting from the produrt of the f ictional resistance uttered to the turning of the rocker arm in its bea ng. into its short arm, or radius ot the herding; by ng in ignificant and practicallv of! as compared .iig from the product of the force due to the vertical lllzltl\(i 3ll0\'QI1l(tlliS of the axle and the vehicle frame, transmitted through the brace rod. into the long arm of the rocker arm. Cousei'piently, less resistance is oilerrwl to the movement oi the axle in relation to the vehicle body, and the latter rides easier than when the brace rod is slidahl uirainl'ed in a pivoted bearing box.

eronil. To control not only the short and exceedingly rapid vibrations of the vehicle springs, but also the speed of the longer and ob ious oscillations of the springs, due to the ll'lill'liECl movements of the vehicle body and the wheel axle. The second feature of my invention accomplishes this object, and

with the momentit resides in two friction surfaces, arranged to interfere to the desired extent with the vibrator movements of the rocker arm mentioned above; so that for example, the mechanism employed may be adapted for use in vehicles of different makes, sizes, weight, and having various tensions of springs.

Third. To provide an efficient shock absorber, and one that does not make use of the space lying between the wheel axle and the vehicle body. The feature whereby this object may be brought about, is embodied in a stop block properly positioned upon the vehicle frame, and combined with the above mentioned rocker arm and brace rod to which the axle is secured so that when the axle has reached a predetermined position, is a desired limit of'its motion, the rocker arm has, through the slowly and slightly moving brace rod, been brought into engagement with the stop block, and has stopped the movement of the axle, without perceptible shock, jar or noise.

l ourth. So to re-arange and reverse the parts shown in my said Letters Patent, that the l'orward movement of the driving wheel on the rear axle will have a tendency to cause the parts to draw the vehicle body downward against the increasing compression of the supporting springs, rather than to push the body upward, and release the compression of the sprin s, as would the structure shown in said Letters Patent. The consequences of such rearrangement are that the car rides with greater ease; and when passing around a curve, the action of the parts practically counteracts the centrifugal force tending to lift the inside oi the which) upward and outward and the ehicle passes around the curve upon substantially evenly compressed springs.

Filth. To prevent the forward axle from moving forward and back on its longitudinal ;i\'is as a center; in other words, to cause each or all of the parts of the axle to rise and tall, in relation to the vehicle body, in planes at right angles to the plane of the hotly; with the result that when the feature of my invention designed to attain this ob jtf't, is applied to the forward axle of an automobile, the connecting lovers of the steering apparatus and the connected forward wheels, are when the steering wheel is rigidly held by'the driver, always in the same relative positions, regardless of the such an extent of movement of the wheels,

the car Would run wild, and be absolutely beyond the control of the driver. This objection, I overcome by combining with the brace rod, controller arm and wheel axle, shown in my said Letters Patent, an

auxiliary controller arm pivotally connected with the axle and the controller arm, and properly proportioned by actual experiment to accomplish the result desired.

Sixth. To obtain other advantages that will become evident hereinafter.

In the drawings illustrating the principle of my invention and the best mode now known to moot embodying the same in operative structure, Figure l. is a diagrammatic view showing the chassis, with midportion removed, and wheels of an automobile, provided with my invention; Fig. 2 shows an enlarged detail of my invention as applied to the rear axle o1 an automobile; Fig. 3 is a plan of what is shown in Fig. '2, a part of the controller arm being broken off for the sake of clearness. Fig. idepicts features of my invention, with end portion oi brace rod which is slidably mounted in a pivoted bearing box, instead of pivoted to a rocker arm. l ig. 5 illustrates an enlarged detail of my invention, when used with the forward axle of an automobile; the axlebeing sectioned, and one side of the brace rod removed. Fig. (i is a plan of what appears in Fig. Figs. 7 and 8 are an elevation and plan of the forward wheel, a part of and the steering rods, and connecthe old structure, illustrating by the objectionable movements of we, that Hm" be overcome by ray present ivcntion.

is shown, diegramuiatieally, in of an automobile,

Elie chest-s ii i non wheels 5, C, by spiral springs i no as illustrated in said above mentioned Letters Patent; the relative move ments of the chassis and wheel axles F, G, being controlled by the remaining mechanism, which embody all'oi the features of my present invention; and which, of course comprise not only what is shown, but what is in duplicate directly behind, but not seen,

on the opposite side of the chassis. A description of the visible portions of the mechanism will suiilce for the unseen duplication,

To a pair of supporting members 1, 1, on the rear axle G, igs. 2 and 3, are pivotally connected the outer portion or extension H of the rear spring E, and a brace rodt; the forward end portion 3 of this brace rod being oneratively connected by, means of {a ball and socket ioint; tto a recrsr- ;erm;

mounted integral with a bushing 6 having a suitable bearing, on a spindle 7 projecting horizontally from a bracket 8 depending from the chassis.

Pirotally connected to the brace rod 2, at point 9, in the position shown in Fig. 2-, is a controller arm ldwhose opposite end is pivoted to the chassis at 11. This structure is designed to cause the rear axle in any of its movements in relation to the chassis, to

O move in a plane-at right angles to the plane of the chassis; the lengths of the various lever arms and the positions of the pivots, all being experimentally determined and laid out to move in substantially the same manner as pointed out and claimed in said above mentioned patent.

In the structure shown in said Letters Patent, an objectionable amount of friction developed'between the pivoted journal box and the free end portion of the brace rod, slidabl'y mounted therein, and, through the brace rod, was'suiiicient seriously to interfere Pith the natural action of "ie springs,

and hence the smooth riding or the car.

Frequent and copious oiling served no purpose; and mud and dirt, working between the bearing surfabes greatly increased the frictional resistance to the free movement of the brace rod. The rocker arm 5 and ball and socket connection between it and the brace ,rod overcome this objection. lVhile the center of the pivot between the rocker arm and the brace rod does actually change its position in relation to the chassis, yet for all practical purposes, it remains substantially the same, and does not produce any appreciable variation in the desired line of movement of the axis of the axle of the rear wheel. lhe friction between the bushing 6 and spindle 7, brought about by the, thrust of the brace rod down through the rocker arm, obviously is easily overcome by the force exerted by the brace rod, acting through an arm having a length extending from the center of the spindle 7 to the center of the connection 4: between the rocker arm 5 and the brace rod 2. The first object of my invention is thus attained.

It was found also that under some con ditions, the chassis was too delicately sup-- ported, and greater or less resistance had to be introduced at a: suitable point in the mechanism, to retard the supporting members'in theirspeed of movements, and hence bring about the even riding of the car body.

To accomplish this object, there is secured to the depending bracket 8, a stationary, frictional disk 12, while'a second frictional disk 13, is integrally connected with the bushing 6 mounted on the spindle '1' the pressure required for .the desired friction,

- to regulate the s ed of movement of the metre, earn, a. IMQQQQ of the wheel axle G,

being determined by means of a spring Washer 14, Fig. 3, and a nut 15 upon the outer end portion of the spindle 7, and en gaging the washer.

The second feature of my invention and its purpose'are now plain.

The third feature resides in means where by any abnormal movement of the chassis away from the axle, forward or rear, resulting from undue compression of the springs E, may be prevented by overcoming the momentum of the chassis A, say, before the spring ceases to be compressed. This feature is embodied in a stop 20 fixed to the bracket 8 and provided with a rubber buffer 21, positioned to be engaged by the free end portion of the rocker arm 5 after it reaches and exceeds a predetermined position; that is, whenever the chassis A and the axle, as G connected. by the brace rod 2 and controller arm 10, to the rocker arm 5, would, unless opposed, .recede from. each other more than is desirable. A similar stop 22 and rubber buffer 23 may be used to limit the movement of the rocker arm 5 in an opposite direction and, therefore, avoid an undue approach of the chassis to the axle; the increasing resistance when offered by the stop and buffer, acting in unison with the increasing tension upon the spring, and finally overcoming the momentum of the chassis in its approach toward the axle, before a fixed tension of the spring is reached.

- The parts of my invention above described are found also in relation to the forward axle F shown in Figs. 1 and 5, and for the purpose ohidentifying them there, without further description, will oe-giren the same numbers, but primed.

The next and fourth feature of my invention resides in the locations of the brace rods and controller arms, with respect to the front and rear axles F, G, and chassis A; said rods and arms being in a position, the reverse of that shown in the above mentioned Letters Patent. As already stated, when arranged as in said patent, the tendency of theforward moving driving rear wheel, is to lift the chassis upward and away from the axis of the rear wheel, the power from the rear wheel being transmitted by a pull along the brace rod and a push or thrust upward along the controller arm to the body; and as the forward axle receives its movement from the forward movement of the body, necessarily it is pulled versed as shown in Fig. 1, so that the controller arms 10, 10, are subjected to ten sion, while the brace rods 2, 2 receive thrusts; and the power required of the driving rear axle, to more ahead the chassis and the front axle, is directed in such a manner as to tend to pull the chassis downward toward both axles, rather than upward and away from them, when the car has a forward movement.

The fifth feature of my in ention resides in means whereby not only the center of the longitudinal axis of the axle, but also all parts of the axle, are within working limits, caused to rise and fall substantially in planes at right angles to that of the p.ane of the cha 1, and thus do away with tain. resulting movements of the forward wheels, that are due to partial rotations or oscillations of the axle about its longitudinal and that cannot be controlled by the steering apparatus.

An inspection of F 7 and 8 will make plain how a forward a.:le F, Fig. 8, not provided with means for preventing these partial rotations or oscillations of the axle, will caus v the wheels, as B" of an automobile, mounted on a iinurlrle arm pivoted in the usual manner, to move in and out, notwithetandirgthe steering rod 26, and wheel not shown, are held absolutely rigid. it the ering whec-l is rigid, and the steering To 1 has no longitudinal movement, and the longitudinal of the forward wheel has a movement in said plane at right angles to the chassis, while the other p: of the axle move in planes other than at right a glcs to the plane of the chassis, vet the pivoted wheels will be compelled by the pivoted connecting rig i'l parts to movein orout as the case may he, or nothing will break. Obviousl as the forward pivoted to the outer end of the whee 1S and is alo pivotaltv controled with tree end of the steering; rod, which. for time being. is assumed to be longitudinally stationary, the for rd wheel will, brcai'sc of this movement. a EH14 a position dill nt from that whirh it would. were all of the parts held, as by an arixi l' con troller arm 27', i tionary, in relation to the stee F ll, and moving in planes at right 2H us to the plane oi the chassis. This aux liary controller arm 21', which is nofel, lll rl our end portion mnnected by means of a lull and socket joint Fig. 5. with the lower portion oi" the and J.

axle ll'while the other end portion is pivoted to the controller arm 10, at 29, adja- 1911b to the pivot 9 of the controller arm to the brace rod 2; the lengths of the brace rod, controller arm. auxiliary controllerarm, and the distances between the various pivots of the connecting" parts, all being so designed as to bring about the desired morecontrolh-r ments of all the parts of the axle in planes at right angles to the plane of the chassis. In short, by means of the above described -n1echanis1n or equivalent constructions, this forward and back movement about the 1011- gitudinal axis of the forward axle is obviated, and the connections between the steering wheel and the Wheel on the forwarc axle are always in such a p sition that for vard \vheel can not move without a corres )ondiug movement of the steering whee In Fig. 4 is shown a modified form of my invention used where the brace rod 3 slides in a pivoted bearing 30, instead of being connected with a rocker arm 5, as appears in Fig? l, 2 and but the result ing non-oscillatory movements of the axles F and F are substantially the same in both constructions, however.

Having described all. of the various features of my invention and desiring to pro tect them in the broadest manner legall' possible, what- I claim is:-

1. In a vehicle, an axle; a cont-roller arm; a brace rod; an auxiliary controller arm, pivoted to the controller-arm;theaxle being pivoted both to the brace rod and controller arm; and pivotal. inea 1 ,iermit longitudinal movements of the b ace rod; all combined to hold each part 1 c axle in its respective plane substantially at right angles to the plane of the body of the vehicle. v

In apparatus designed to cause the axis of an axle to niove'in a plane at right angles to the plane of the bodv of a vehicle brace rod connected with I arni pivoted to the body oi. Lie vehicle, it; free end being pivoted to the brace rod;

mm Iii-m l "'1 the iele and to the brace rod h in i 01? the brace rod. chicle, an axle; a co ment 1 in a a brace rod; an,- auxiliary co] pivoted to th (gyitroller arm; the

pivoted both to the brace rod oller arni; roller arm, axle and controller orln; fund an oted to the body ol the vehicle. it being p voted to the brace rod, reduce to a minimum the tri the nwvelncnts of the brace rod; bined to hold each part of the axle in respect "e substantially v lftlC-rll plane of inoven'ient.

eL/ln a power driven vehicle mount upon springs secured to an axle and he ing apparatus designed to caur' of an axle to more in a plane at to the plane of the body of the brace rod connected to the axle; pivotal means secured to tile vehicle body to permit substantially longitudinal movements of the brace rod; a controller arm pivoted to the the adjacent spring oi so arranged in relation to the vehicle body that, when the body of the vehicle is moving forward, the controller arm is subjected to tension.

5. In a power driven vehicle mounted upon springs secured to an axle, and'having apparatus designed to cause the axis of a (loving axle to move in a plane at right angles to the plane of the body of the vehicle; brace rod, connected to the driving axle; pivotal means secured to the vehicle body forward of the driving axle, to permit sub lily longitudinal movements of the rod; a controller arm pivoted to the vehicle body and extending forwardly c it i pivote il to the brace rod, so that as the driving" axle moves forward, the controller arm is subjected to tension, and tends compress the adjacent spring of the ven a power driven vehicle mounted 11 sgring's secured to an axle and having aratus designed to cause the axis of a axle and the axis of a driven axle move invplanes at right angles to the plane of the body of the vehicle; a brace rod, connected to the driven axle; pivotal ineans secured to the vehicle body, rearward of the driven axle, to permit substantially longitudina movements of the brace rod; a controller arm pivoted to the vehicle body and also extending rearvvardly and being pivoted to the brace roeso that as the Vel 1'. body moves l ard and drives ahead of the driven axle, the controller arm is subjected to tension and tends to compress the vehicle; a similar nation of elcnier comprising a brace the driving axle; pivotal d to the vehicle body, forward u to permit substantially cen of the brace rod, 21 o the vehicle body c M i where it is pivoto latter lflace rod, so that as the l moves forward the latter conis subjected to tension; and to compress the adjacent spring of the cornic l apparatus designed to cause the axis n axle .1) move in a plane at right angles l-Ju. the friction due to the 1T1 venients of.

ma; rod; friction disks, one to the iehiclebody, the other to the rocker arui, and means to create more or less friction between said disks, "to hinder to a greater or less exteio einents of the rocker arm, and he i e, rough connecting parts, the-speed of true movements of the 8. In apparatus designed to cause the axis of an axle to move in a plane at right angles to the plane-of the body of a vehicle; a

controller arm; a brace rod Connected to the axle; pivotal means to permit longitudinal movements of the brace rod; and a stop fixed to the vehicle body but in sucha position that it limits the motion of the brace rod, when the axle has reached a predetermined position in relation to the body of the vehicle.

t 9. In apparatus designed to cause the axis of an axle to move in a plane at right angles to the plane of the body of a vehicle; a controller arm; a brace rod, connected with the axle; a rocker arm pivoted to the body of a vehicle, its free end being ivoted to the brace rod, all designed towedilce to mini mum the friction due tothe movements of the brace rod; a stop fixed to tiievehicle body, bnt in such, a position that it 'is'em gaged by the' rocker arm, and brace rod, when the axle has, in relation to the body of the vehicle, reached a predetermined position.

. '25 In testimony whereof I hereunto afix my signature inthe presence of two witnesses. I

WILLIAM E. EASTMAN.

Witnesses: E," F. UNIAO CHRLES' F. IGHABDSON. 

